The Physics Laboratory is a major operating units of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its mission is to support U S industry by providing measurement services and research for electronic, optical, and radiation technologies.
Radiation Physics Division
Accurate measurements of ionizing radiation and radioactivity are vital necessities for a host of life-saving medical procedures, as well as public safety and industrial
processes, and must be based on authoritative standards. This division develops, maintains, and disseminates those standards in the United States, and investigates and uses the fundamental physical interactions of ionizing radiation with biological systems, materials, environmental contaminants, and radiological,
nuclear, chemical, and explosive devices.
That work supports:
- radiation and nuclear applications in health care;
- worker protection and assurance for the nuclear energy and radiation industries;
- spectroscopic methods for biotechnology and medical applications;
- environmental protection and monitoring;
- homeland security and defense applications, detection, and countermeasures;
- manufacturing and industrial innovation; and
- fundamental research in radiation and neutron physics.
In addition to realizing the SI units for absorbed dose (the gray) and activity (the becquerel), the division conducts research in radiation and nuclear physics, radiation dosimetry, radionuclide metrology, and physical imaging technologies. This work has a far-reaching impact on medical research and clinical practice. For example, the accuracy of nearly 40 million mammograms and 40,000 radiation treatment plans for prostate cancer, every year, relies
on measurements made here.
Dr. Michael Mitch, Acting Division Chief
(301) 975-5491 | michael.mitch@nist.gov
www.nist.gov/pml/radiation-physics
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